International Trade Club

Event Date: 26 February 2009

The East Lancs Chamber of Commerce partnered with the UK Border Agency and Forbes Solicitors to provide a  seminar designed to help businesses understand the workings of the immigration system, including the recent changes.

Highlighted were a number of important procedures that businesses must comply with now should they wish to employ foreign workers. The seminar covered all the main issues that businesses need to be aware of, which included the new policies and processes for obtaining a licence to employ a foreign worker and visas to work in the UK.

The main components of the seminar were:

• Latest information governing the employment of non EEA workers
• Step-by-Step visa application processes including biometrics & how decisions are made.
• The new Points Based System and business visitor routes  which replaced existing work (employment)  schemes and its five  Tiers explained.

Speakers included Ed Murphy of the Chamber of Commerce, Glyn Williams and Charlotte Taylor of UK Border Agency and Peter Byrne of Forbes Solicitors and copies of their presentations can be viewed below.

Ed Murphy, said:
“Businesses can sometimes find it difficult if they are new to the immigration system and these seminars simplify everything they need to know, including the changes recently implemented. We are pleased that the UK Border Agency sees the benefit in offering such invaluable advice, in person. It has also proved a good opportunity for businesses of a similar nature to share experiences and contacts.”

Glyn Williams, added;
“We are delighted to be working with the East Lancs Chamber of Commerce on this seminar and know from feedback that businesses will gain a lot from attending. The main benefit of the seminar was that delegates engaged in an informal networking session and spent one-to-one time with our experts.  It was ideal for UK Border Agency personnel to engage with other businesses facing similar challenges.”

If you would like further information relating to this event please contact Marie White 01254 356400, m.white@chamberelancs.co.uk